Spalding’s search for their first win of the season takes them to Derby on Saturday.

They start 2015 with three successive away games and this weekend’s hosts ran out 77-8 winners at the Memorial Field in September.

But skipper Ryan Chappell feels Spalding are getting closer to an opening victory as performances continue to improve.

He said: “We know all about Derby and I can see this being a much closer game than when we met at the start of the season.

“We just need to play well for 80 minutes instead of 40 or 60.

“We are getting closer to the first win and the way we are playing gives us every opportunity. We are not that far away.”

The second half of the season began with a 39-23 home defeat to Bugbrooke.

Chappell reflected: “That 20-minute spell after half-time let us down and maybe it was complacency, thinking we could coast along. Then all of a sudden they scored four tries and we were chasing the game.

“We need to go away from home with a positive attitude and carry on what we have been doing for 80 minutes.

“The lads are buzzing when they play well and they enjoy their rugby. Winning again would make a big difference.

“We know there are four or five teams around us who we can beat. Having said that, though, we performed better against the top teams like Syston and Bugbrooke.”

Ben Williams is ruled out through injury but former captain Harry Sharman may return to action.